Vaccine-Preventable Diseases & Infections

Vaccination is the only medical intervention that has ever completely eliminated an illness in humans. As a result of vaccines, smallpox has been eliminated throughout the world. Many other diseases like polio, diphtheria, and tetanus that once sickened and killed millions of US children are so rare that most kids today will only learn about them from their history textbook.

Because vaccines have been so effective, some think these diseases are gone forever. But that’s not true. To keep kids healthy and prevent these deadly and debilitating diseases from recurring, we must ensure that everyone who is able to be vaccinated is fully immunized.